Fluffy

This is Fluffy. Fluffy joined our family last Tuesday on Jeffrey's big visit to King's Dominion.  He, of course, won him in one of those games that I have spent my days explaining to Jeffrey "No one ever wins that game."  And Jeff wins with a lucky softball toss into the basket on his second try -- ugh.

Anyway, Fluffy spent the rest of the day playing with us at the park, which was to be expected.  But since then, Fluffy has been everywhere Jeff has gone.  Remember this post from last year? The one where J took a piece of foam and turned it into a hat for a week?  So in the past several days he has needed to take Fluffy on several walks around the neighborhood using an old doll stroller (or even an old kid umbrella stroller).  Fluffy has been to church and Black Box rehearsals.  He went to see After Earth (which frightened him a good bit, so he was very glad Jeffrey was there to hold him tightly) and visited the library to pick out some new books.

The ability this boy has to tune out the looks of others.  To close his eyes to their snickers and glares.  To block from his ears their teasing laughter.  All he sees is an amazingly cute and adorable buddy.  One who will play whatever game J wants to play.  One that likes to take walks and watch movies, and loves to be read to.  I can only pray that he keeps this ability to be who he is, strong and confident at he grows up.  Too often our chides and teases break down that confidence.  Hold onto it buddy.  And hold onto Fluffy.

Moose, Alpaca, Moose, Moose Aplaca

 Apparently at 4-H camp there are a lot of songs.  One song specifically endearing to my recently returned daughter goes something like

Moose Alpaca, Moose Moose Alpaca, Unicorn etc...

So, Erin returned from her first week-long sleep away camp this morning.  She had the time of her life it seems.  She has been talking about wanting to go to 4H camp since mid-winter.  In 4th grade the 4H agent comes to school once a month or so and talks to the kids about 4H-y stuffs.  They introduce camp, encourage the students to make a class presentation etc...  She signed up to go without knowing if any of her friends were going along.  Turns out she had a few friends there, but no close ones, and still was able to have an amazing time.

She signed up for 4 different sessions and had each session for an hour a day the 3 middle days of camp.  Her favorite was canoeing (making Daddy W. very happy).  She was most excited about it because at the end of camp all the kids were taught how to tip their canoe so they would know how to get back inside.  She also did a low ropes course where each day they had a team building activity (cross the swamp with logs, fill a bucket that has holes in it), a kitchen science class (they made glow-in-the-dark Jello and homemade ice cream).  Her final course was a game called Gau Gau, played in a small arena with a large tennis ball.  She's played it before and really loves it.

E spent her week in a 10 girl cabin and made several new friends.  Each night they had a campfire where they sang songs, told stories and did skits.  When she got off the bus this morning, her little voice was completely hoarse from singing and shouting all the way back home.  And throughout the rest of today she's continued to share her songs (especially Moose, Moose).

It is sometimes difficult to get her to tell me about what she's been up to, how her day at school was etc.. so I didn't have high hopes that she'd share a lot about camp with me.  I was pleasantly surprised at her willingness and excitement about sharing some of her stories.  She had an amazing time, and can't wait to go back next year.

Cousin Week

Last week Cousin Will spent the week with us.  We actually spent the whole first half of July with Will.  Several days in his hometown (were the in-laws also live), then a few days with his whole family here at Wallace South.  Finally his folks and younger sister returned home leaving W with us for a week.  I decided that we'd just pack the week with as many things as possible.  We wanted to introduce him to our household traditions and activities.  Honestly I'm surprised any of us were still walking by the end of the week we packed so much stuff in.

We started the week with a visit to our favorite summer place -- King's Dominion.  He's a thrill seeker, all 44" of him.  He absolutely loved everything we got to ride, which included 2 full fledged roller coasters.  I'm pretty certain he would've ridden the most extreme of them all if he'd had another 12" tacked onto him.  E & J had a great time showing him all their favorite rides and taking turns sitting with him.

Tuesday was one of our slower days in which we went to a movie (Despicable Me 2) and spent the afternoon splashing in the lake.  W is a true water baby and I'm pretty sure he would've spent the whole week splashing at the lake if we'd had the time.

Wednesday the morning was spent building houses for Despicable Me toys (thanks McD's) our of paper, ribbon, cardboard, legos, you name it.  You think OK, an hour or so of this...nope this took about 3 hours.  That allowed them to save up for an afternoon of bouncing at our of our local favorite bouncy places.

That evening provided another chance to indoctrinate W to a Wallace South tradition.   We have Kids' Cook night every couple of weeks.  W LOVED it.  He invented his own blended drink (frozen raspberries, blueberries a sliced apple and cranberry juice).  And it was awesome.  He helped Uncle T. prepare dinner.  He measured and smelled spices and other ingredients.  When T hollered for help he was the first one in the room.  Now W is a pretty picky eater and he did a great job trying the soup we made, even though it wasn't something he'd normally try at all.

Thursday brought us to a park with a super cool wooden playground.  It was a little warm, but the kids ran and played for several hours.  They we took W to find his first Geocache.  We explained that we were looking for a treasure and he was hooked.  The one we were able to find wasn't very large and didn't have any swag, but he thought it was just the coolest thing.

Friday brought rain and another movie, but it also brought Grandma from home.  Saturday we finally got our planned trip to the peach orchard and one more Geocache.

What I notice when I look back at the things we did last week is not only how much we did, but that it's really things we've always loved to do.  I let the kids complain me into sedation sometimes.  I don't want to go.  It's too hot.  I'm really busy with my game.  I'm too tired.  Do we need to do all of these things in one week -- nope.  Not sure we could handle that again (I'm still recovering from last week).  But should we geocache more -- definitely.  It it worth the hour to drive to the super cool playground -- yep.  Are fresh picked peaches amazing -- certainly.

So thanks W, for coming down and visiting.  We had an awesome time.  And thanks for reminding me that there's so much more to do out there.  It doesn't have to be expensive and bells and whistles.  Just time together.